Early Learning Programmes
Book an exciting hands-on learning experience for your early learners. Designed and led by Te Manawa’s knowledgeable in-house educators, our ELC programmes cater for up to 30 children in short 20 – 30 minute sessions. Check out our programmes today!
NEW
Mānawatia a Matariki!
Puanga and Matariki appear in the dawn sky heralding Te Tau Hou Māori, the Māori New Year. In this programme, tamariki will explore the how we notice seasonal change alongside stories we tell using stars. Tamariki will come together to create a collaborative artwork celebrating Puawāngana — our native clematis, whose delicate white blooms mark the conclusion of the Puanga period.
Year: 0 – 2
Max: 15 students
Time: 45mins – 1hour
Minibeasts
Tamariki will grow their understanding of the world of insects, their importance and role in our ecosystem either by exploring the Te Manawa outdoor garden or by investigating the variety of bugs in the museum collection drawers, checking specimens under the microscope and other fun activities.
Te Awa
Tamariki will explore our awa from its source in the Ruahine Ranges to where it meets the Tasman sea using our large carpet map. We will talk about what we can do to protect our awa and the creatures that live in it. Students will enjoy a hands-on art activity, creating their own tuna (eel), one of the many amazing creatures that calls the Manawatū awa its home.
Year: 0 – 2
Max: 30 students
Time: 30mins – 1hour
Dino Dig
With Te Manawa’s unique outdoor Dino Dig area, tamariki will dig up and identify fossils, they will investigate model dinosaurs & their skeletons, and explore how fossils are formed.
Floating & Sinking
This program encourages tamariki to play, experiment, and discover what types of objects float and sink in water & why. Through exploration they are supported to observe how different objects behave in water using Te Manawa’s purpose-built river.
Meet the Moa
Tamariki will use their investigative skills to figure out what has been stomping around leaving curious footprints. Learn facts about the ancient extinct Moa and stomp around with a three toed claw foot. The programme will take approximately 30 minutes.
Hands-on Science
Includes fun and simple science experiments where curious tamariki turn into junior scientists. The visually engaging science introduces young learners to basic scientific concepts through hands-on activities and simple observation.
Hands-on Creatives
Tamariki will explore one of our art exhibitions and kōrero about what an artwork is made from, what it might remind them of and how it makes them feel. This will be followed by an art activity inspired by what the tamariki have seen. Ideal for small groups of 8-10, workshops will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes.